Home Office Design Ideas for Upstairs, Downstairs, and Even Outside
Our brilliant home office design ideas will help you create the perfect workspace that makes working from home a breeze.
If searching for home office design ideas has become a must on your interior wish list, you’re not alone. With remote and hybrid working now the norm, creating a dedicated workspace has become an essential task for many of us.
Whether you’re building a new house, planning a major remodel, or simply looking to carve out an office in your existing home, there’s plenty of inspiration to get you started.
Designing a Workspace That Feels Good
When it comes to home office design, it’s easy to focus solely on practicalities like finding the right desk or choosing an ergonomic chair. While these elements are important, don’t forget how your workspace affects your mood and well-being.
According to Kate Palmer, creative director of The Painted Furniture Company:
“Successful home office design ideas promote a visually appealing workspace and also contribute to a sense of balance and well-being. They can be used as a neutral canvas for personalisation – whether that be bursts of color, displaying artwork, or incorporating greenery to allow personal expression without compromising the overall cohesive and stylish aesthetic.”
In other words, your office space should not only function well but also make you feel good while you work.
1. Create a Dual Home Office Space
With more people working from home, it’s becoming common for multiple household members to need their own workspaces. If you find yourself in this situation, it might make sense to design a space that can accommodate more than one person.
Working alongside someone else can actually be enjoyable, but it’s important to make sure each person has their own space—after all, home isn’t the place for office politics!
This home office design idea uses built-in desks to create a symmetrical wall of fitted furniture, providing two separate desk areas, each with its own storage. It’s a great solution for sharing a workspace without compromising on privacy or efficiency.
2. Include an Office Space in Your Kitchen Design
When planning your kitchen, why not ask your designer to include a workspace? By incorporating a home office into your kitchen, you’ll be working at the heart of the home, with easy access to the coffee machine and the kitchen essentials.
This design idea can also work well if you have children, as the space can double as a homework area once they’re home from school.
For added convenience, consider adding roller doors to your cabinets, allowing you to easily shut away your work at the end of the day and keep the kitchen tidy.
3. Combine a Home Office with a Guest Room
If you’re short on space, combining a home office with a guest room can be a smart solution. This is especially effective in a loft conversion, where you can easily create distinct work and sleep zones.
By dedicating one wall to your desk and the opposite wall to a bed, you can enjoy a multifunctional space that works for both work and rest. A daybed or sofa bed is a great choice to keep the room feeling spacious and uncluttered.
For a cohesive look, choose a neutral color palette throughout the space. Light hues like pale blue with white accents create a calm, inviting atmosphere that seamlessly blends work and relaxation areas.
4. Pick Your Home Office Colors Carefully
The colors you choose for your home office play a huge role in setting the tone for productivity and comfort. According to Anna Hill, brand director and color consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook, it’s important to strike a balance between functionality and inspiration.
A combination of yellow and blue can be particularly effective. Yellow is known for its warm, cheerful nature, which promotes optimism and creativity, making it ideal for a home office. When paired with deep blue, which has a calming, introspective vibe, this color duo creates a visually striking and emotionally comforting space.
Anna recommends using muted yellow shades and deeper blue tones for a harmonious balance. The key is to create an energizing yet easy-on-the-eye space that fosters both comfort and focus.
5. Build a Bespoke Home Office
If working from home is your full-time gig and you’re spending long hours at your desk, investing in a bespoke home office design can make all the difference. While you could go the DIY route, bringing in an interior designer or architect can ensure your space is perfectly tailored to your needs.
An expert will listen to both your practical requirements and design preferences, helping you create a space that’s not only functional but also inspiring.
Cath Dean, CEO and founder of Studio Dean, shares how they approached a project for a couple who both needed home offices. In this case, one of the homeowners needed a quiet, private space for calls and deep focus but still wanted to be close to the heart of the home.
To achieve this, the team designed a dedicated home office with elegant traditional panelling and a modern twist to fit the home’s style. The desk was custom-built with hidden cable management and a spot for the printer, making the space both practical and stylish.
This level of detail is what a good interior designer brings to the table. They don’t work from a catalog; instead, they use their creativity to craft a space that perfectly suits your needs. Elements like matching shadow gaps throughout the house bring continuity and a polished look to the entire home.
6. Choose Modular Furniture Solutions for Flexibility
If your work-from-home role requires flexibility or changes frequently, modular furniture can offer the perfect solution. Modular systems are ideal for creating a storage setup that adapts to your ever-changing needs, making them a great choice for any home office.
One of the standout choices for modular furniture is String Furniture, which offers simple, functional pieces that can grow with your requirements. According to Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture, “String shelves are modular, so they’re perfect for any room, big or small. Whether it’s a home office, bedroom, or even a kitchen, they help you maximise space. Plus, they’re great for small homes because you can switch up the design whenever you like.”
This versatility means you can add more shelves or components as your storage needs grow, keeping your space both practical and stylish.
7. Pick Practical Wall Coverings
When designing your home office, don’t forget about the walls. Practical and stylish wall coverings can elevate the look and functionality of your workspace. Cork wall panelling, like the Cork Wall Evora Natural panels from Naturewall, offers a great blend of eco-friendliness and practicality.
Not only does cork create a unique texture and look, but it also serves as a handy noticeboard. You can pin up your to-do lists, inspirational quotes, or even family photos, keeping your ideas close by. Plus, cork is durable and easy to maintain—it can even be painted or wallpapered over if you want to switch up your office’s look in the future. And if you love the original design, there are plenty of color options to choose from to match your aesthetic.
8. Sit Close to Natural Light in Bedroom Home Office Ideas
When your bedroom also serves as your home office, it can sometimes feel hard to separate work from rest. I’ve been there myself, needing to carve out a work corner in my bedroom when I moved last year.
For home office ideas that need to balance both productivity and relaxation, here are a few tips:
- Place your desk near a window: Natural light is crucial for boosting energy and mood. Having a desk near a window will offer a refreshing view and improve your workspace environment.
- Position your desk away from the bed: Facing your bed while working can make you feel sleepy or distracted. Instead, try to face away from it for better focus.
- Add storage: Being able to store your work items at the end of the day is key, especially in a bedroom office. This helps keep your workspace tidy and ensures your work doesn’t interrupt your rest.
- Use a moveable screen: If you need to temporarily divide your space, a moveable screen can be a great solution to create some separation between your work area and your bed.
9. Zone Your Home Office Space with Paint
If you’re working in an open-plan space or a shared room, using paint to define your home office area is a simple and effective way to create boundaries. It’s a quick decorating trick that helps separate work zones from the rest of your space, especially when you don’t want to add walls.
A graphic shape, like the blue arch behind this desk, can clearly set the office area apart from the rest of the room. Plus, it’s easy to update if you decide to move your home office to a different spot in the future. The bold contrast adds character while creating a more focused environment for productivity.
10. Get Creative with a Cupboard
If you’re short on space or only work from home a few days a week, you might not want to dedicate an entire room to your office. Instead, why not consider small home office ideas and incorporate a desk into a cupboard or part of a bespoke storage solution?
By using the cupboard’s interior as a work area, you can save valuable space while still having a functional office setup. For seating, consider using an ergonomic stool like the Profim Mickey Peacock Blue Pouffe. And don’t forget to add plug sockets for lamps and charging points so your work area is fully equipped.
10. Pick Pocket Doors for Larger Home Office Ideas
If you’re building an extension or renovating, pocket doors are an excellent choice for creating a flexible and seamless home office. They allow you to close off your workspace when the workday is done, providing privacy and separation.
To ensure a cohesive design, match your pocket doors with other cabinetry, like bookshelves or media walls. This way, your office will blend naturally into the rest of your home.
For a contrast, opt for pocket doors in a different finish, color, or design, giving you the option to transform your space into a temporary feature wall when the doors are closed. It’s a stylish and functional way to make the most of your space.
11. Don’t Forget the Importance of Lighting Your Home Office Well
Lighting can make or break a home office. While desk lamps are essential, thinking beyond the basics can elevate your workspace.
Consider adding recessed LED lighting to create a warm, soft glow throughout your room. As shown in this design by Neil Dusheiko Architects, layered lighting can help enhance the ambiance, with a combination of natural light streaming through large windows and soft, ambient lighting that wraps the room in a cozy atmosphere.
12. Extend Your Worktop Outside of an Alcove
If you’re working with a smaller space, dedicating a whole room to a home office might not be feasible. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less workspace.
Look for unused or “dead” spaces in your home, like alcoves or landings, that can be transformed into efficient office areas. By extending the worktop and shelving around the corner of the wall, you can maximize the space for books, papers, or any other office essentials. This simple solution adds valuable workspace and storage without needing an entirely separate room.
13. Create a Home Office Under the Stairs
If your main stairs are situated in a light-filled living room, using the space underneath can be an excellent way to create a compact home office. With enough headroom, this space can house a desk, chair, and shelves.
For a cleaner look, try wall-mounted storage and a series of cabinets under the worktop. If space is limited, consider wall-mounting your monitor to keep the desk clear. Be sure to add adequate lighting, such as spotlights, to brighten up the area and keep it functional.
14. Add a Workspace to Your Snug
A snug can be an ideal multi-purpose space, perfect for both work and relaxation. In traditional properties, a snug can serve as a cozy home office, where you can retreat to focus or unwind.
Consider placing a desk between floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets for a balance of work space and storage. This creates a dedicated yet relaxing work environment where you can remain productive in comfort.
15. Build a Garden Home Office
For those who want to create a clear separation between work and home life, a garden office can be a great solution. Garden pods offer extra space without the need for a costly extension.
Some models come with heating, electricity, and internet connection, making them a comfortable and private setting for your work. Plus, you’ll have a beautiful garden view while working.
To furnish your garden office, don’t forget to check out practical yet stylish furniture options, such as those from Ikea, to keep your space functional and inviting.
16. Alternatively, Bring Nature Indoors
Integrating biophilic design into your home office is a great way to boost your sense of well-being. This approach blends natural elements with design to create a calming, productive environment.
A green home office filled with plants, natural materials, and plenty of natural light can make the space feel more connected to the outdoors. Adding a vibrant green wall or including a variety of house plants is a simple yet effective way to introduce nature into your workspace, creating a nurturing atmosphere.
17. Don’t Forget the Personal Touches
While your home office should be conducive to productivity, it’s important to add personal items and decorative features that reflect your personality. This space should be an extension of yourself to help inspire creativity.
Consider incorporating personal possessions, such as family photos or meaningful mementos, into open shelving. Rich wood finishes for storage add a timeless, sophisticated feel, and soft furnishings like cushions and curtains can bring comfort and style to your office space.
Looking for More Home Office Inspiration?
Explore our latest ideas and tips:
- 38 Masculine Home Office Ideas For Him
- 25 Small Home Office Ideas That’ll Make You Feel Like the Boss You Are
- How to Create a Small Home Office That Works for You
- Home Office Style: Must-Have Furniture for a Stylish Workspace
- Home Office Furniture: Space-Saving Solutions by Expand
Turn your workspace dreams into reality!